Nevada Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2025

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Nevada

Nevada faces a critical shortage of primary care providers, with more than 75 Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) affecting over 1.2 million residents—roughly two-thirds of the state’s population. According to the Nevada Primary Care Needs Assessment, the state’s rapidly aging population and a wave of expected retirements among healthcare professionals are accelerating the demand for qualified nurse practitioners (NPs).

Fortunately, Nevada is a Full Practice Authority (FPA) state. Since 2013, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have been allowed to diagnose, treat, prescribe, and manage patient care independently—without physician oversight. This autonomy empowers NPs to fill crucial gaps in primary and specialty care across the state, especially in underserved and rural regions.

The Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN) regulates all APRN licensure, renewal, and scope of practice. As of 2023, Nevada has more than 3,500 licensed APRNs and continues to support workforce growth through clear licensure pathways and professional practice protections.

This guide will walk you step-by-step through the process of becoming a licensed NP in Nevada, covering:

• Initial RN licensure (via examination or endorsement)
• Graduate education requirements for APRN licensure
• National certification by an approved certifying agency
• Applying for NP licensure, including prescriptive and dispensing privileges
• Important Nevada-specific policies on scope of practice and practice settings

If your goal is to deliver high-quality care where it’s needed most, Nevada offers a clear and rewarding pathway to independent practice as a nurse practitioner.

Step 1: Obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) License in Nevada

Every nurse practitioner in Nevada must first be a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) within the state. Since Nevada is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), all applicants—regardless of multi-state licensure—must apply for a Nevada RN license through the Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN).

There are two licensure pathways: by Examination (for new graduates) and by Endorsement (for RNs already licensed in another U.S. state or territory).

RN Licensure by Examination

This path is for those who have never held an RN license in the U.S.

To apply, follow these steps:

• Graduate from an accredited nursing program with a minimum of an associate degree. Prospective NPs should pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to meet future APRN education requirements.
• Submit your RN licensure application online via the NSBN Nurse Portal.
• Pay the $100 application fee (non-refundable).
• Register for the NCLEX-RN exam through Pearson VUE and pay the $200 testing fee.
• Request an official transcript be sent directly to the Board. Transcripts must include the degree awarded and date of graduation. Digital transcripts are preferred and can be emailed to nursingboard@nsbn.state.nv.us.
• Complete a criminal background check (CBC) with fingerprinting. Use the Fingerprint Submission Form. The fee is $40.25.

Tip: If you completed a Nevada-based nursing program, your school will automatically submit an Affidavit of Graduation on your behalf. This may qualify you for a temporary permit while awaiting your NCLEX results.

Once you pass the NCLEX-RN and your application is complete, your Nevada RN license will be issued electronically—physical cards are no longer mailed. You can monitor your application status in the NSBN Nurse Portal.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

This path is for nurses who already hold an RN license in another U.S. state or territory.

To apply for licensure by endorsement in Nevada, you’ll need to:

• Complete the online endorsement application via the NSBN portal.
• Pay the $105 application fee (non-refundable).
• Provide verification of your current RN license:
  • If your state participates in Nursys, request verification through their portal.
  • If not, contact your state board to complete a manual license verification form.
• Submit official transcripts showing your degree and date of graduation. Foreign-trained applicants must also submit a CGFNS evaluation.
• Complete fingerprint-based CBC as described above. Live Scan is available in Reno or Las Vegas if you’re a Nevada resident.

Note: If you’ve held your U.S. RN license for less than five years, and were trained outside the U.S. in a non-English-speaking country, you may also need to pass an English proficiency exam.

Once the Board has reviewed all documents and confirmed your background check and licensure verification, your Nevada RN license will be issued electronically.

Step 2: Meet Advanced Education Requirements

To qualify for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Nevada, candidates must complete a graduate-level nursing program that prepares them specifically for nurse practitioner roles.

According to Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) § 632.260, the Nevada State Board of Nursing requires all APRN applicants to hold at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The program must be accredited by a recognized nursing accrediting body such as:

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)

The program must prepare you in a specific APRN role and population focus (e.g., family nurse practitioner, pediatric acute care, psychiatric-mental health). Core coursework must include:

• Advanced Pharmacology
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Role Development and Professional Responsibilities
• Supervised Clinical Preceptorship aligned with your specialty

Tip: Choosing a program endorsed by the national certification board you’re targeting can streamline your path to certification (see Step 3).

Prescriptive Authority and Controlled Substances in Nevada

To obtain prescriptive authority as a nurse practitioner in Nevada, your graduate program must include at least two semester credits in advanced pharmacotherapeutics. This coursework prepares you to safely prescribe medication—including controlled substances.

If you plan to prescribe Schedule II–V controlled substances, you must meet additional experience requirements, such as:

• 2,000 hours of supervised clinical practice as an APRN, or
• An active collaborative agreement with a physician licensed in Nevada

Applicants who do not hold a graduate degree must also show:

• Completion of 1,000 hours of prescribing practice within the past two years

Details are outlined in NRS § 632.237 and clarified further in APRN Application Instructions from the Board.

Dispensing Medications in Nevada

To dispense medications (i.e., provide medications directly to patients), APRNs must:

• Apply for a dispensing license through the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy
• Pass a dispensing examination offered by the Nevada Board of Nursing
• Pay a $150 dispensing license fee

Once the exam is passed, the Nursing Board notifies the Pharmacy Board, which issues the license.

Important: Temporary APRN licenses do not grant prescriptive or dispensing authority. You must wait for your permanent license and any additional approvals to begin those activities legally.

Step 3: Earn National Certification

Before applying for APRN licensure in Nevada, nurse practitioner candidates must obtain national certification from a recognized certifying body that aligns with their population focus and specialty area.

Why National Certification Is Required

The Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN) mandates national certification under
NRS § 632.237 and
NAC § 632.260
as a way to validate the quality, rigor, and relevance of an applicant’s nurse practitioner education.
Certification exams are designed to evaluate whether candidates are fully prepared to independently provide care
within a defined population focus, such as family health, pediatrics, psychiatry, or acute care.

Choose an Approved Certifying Agency

Candidates must obtain certification from one of the national organizations recognized by the Board.
These certifying bodies assess the knowledge and competencies needed to practice safely and effectively.
Each agency focuses on a specific area of practice:

• 
  National Certification Corporation (NCC)
  – Women’s health, neonatal, and OB/GYN nurse practitioners
• 
  Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
  – Pediatric primary and acute care NPs
• 
  American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
  – Family, adult-gerontology, and emergency NPs
• 
  American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
  – Psychiatric, adult-gerontology, family, and acute care NPs
• 
  American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
  – Acute care certifications including adult-gerontology ACNP

Tips for Success

• Enroll in a program endorsed by your chosen certifier: This increases the likelihood that your curriculum aligns with exam content and certification standards.
• Begin the certification process early: Some certifying bodies have lengthy application timelines or additional documentation requirements.
• Maintain your certification: Licensure renewal in Nevada depends on continued national certification, including the required continuing education and clinical practice hours set by your certifying agency.

National certification is more than a box to check—it’s a crucial step in confirming that you’re fully prepared
to serve as a nurse practitioner in your population focus. Once obtained, your certifying agency must submit
verification of certification directly to the Nevada State Board of Nursing as part of your APRN application.

Step 4: Get Licensed to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner in Nevada

Once national certification is complete, the final step is to apply for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with the Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN).

How to Apply for APRN Licensure

Nevada requires all APRN applicants to submit their license applications online via the
NSBN Nurse Portal.
The application fee is $200 and is non-refundable.

• Proof of Education: An official transcript must be sent directly from your nurse practitioner program to the Board. It must include your graduation date, degree awarded, and a breakdown of coursework.
• Proof of Certification: Your national certifying agency must send verification of your active certification directly to the Board.
• RN License: You must hold a valid RN license to practice in Nevada. If licensed elsewhere, submit verification through Nursys or the appropriate state board.
• Recent Experience: If more than two years have passed since completing your NP program, you must provide proof of at least 1,000 hours of clinical practice as an APRN in the past 24 months.
• Fingerprint-Based Criminal Background Check (CBC): If you have not completed a CBC through the Nevada State Board of Nursing within the last 6 months, you must submit fingerprints as outlined on the Board’s CBC instruction page.

Prescribing & Dispensing Privileges (Optional)

APRNs seeking prescribing or dispensing authority must complete additional requirements:

• Prescriptive Authority: Requires at least two semester credits in advanced pharmacotherapeutics and either
  • 2,000 hours of supervised APRN clinical practice, or
  • Active collaboration with a Nevada-licensed physician to prescribe Schedule II substances.
• Dispensing License: Requires passing a Board-issued exam and a $150 application fee.
  The Nevada State Board of Nursing then notifies the Board of Pharmacy to issue your dispensing license.

What to Expect After Applying

The Board does not issue hard copy licenses. Once your APRN license is approved,
you can view your licensure status via the NSBN Nurse Portal. If any documentation is missing,
the portal will provide updates. Processing times may vary based on volume and application completeness.

To avoid delays, review the APRN licensure checklist provided by the Board
and follow all instructions carefully. Be sure to retain digital copies of your application and supporting documents.

Once licensed, you are legally authorized to practice independently as a nurse practitioner in Nevada under full practice authority.